Why Florida for surrogacy
Florida has a well-established surrogacy market thanks to a clear legal framework and a high concentration of fertility clinics. Here's what makes Florida work for surrogates:
1. Legal clarity for married couples. Florida Statutes § 742.15 explicitly recognizes gestational surrogacy contracts between married intended parents. Court approval establishes parental rights, and the process is routine in Florida family courts.
2. High-quality fertility clinics. Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville all have established IVF and embryology programs that handle surrogacy routinely.
3. Geographic convenience. Florida is easy to travel in and out of for intended parents from around the US and internationally. Surrogates benefit from the developed infrastructure.
The Florida partner agency: Family Makers
Why Family Makers for Florida: Family Makers is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia and serves Florida as part of its Southeast coverage. They have the highest first-time total compensation in our partner network ($95,000). All their case coordinators are former surrogates. The owner is an intended parent who became an agency founder after her own journey.
Compensation structure: First-time base is $60,000 and first-time total is $95,000 — the highest first-timer package among our partners. Experienced surrogates earn $70,000+ base and $105,000+ total. Payments are 8 equal monthly installments starting within 5 days of viable heartbeat confirmation. Full compensation is paid before a full-term delivery. Truly $0 out-of-pocket — all approved expenses are reimbursed.
Communication style: Open, timely, and respectful. Response within one hour during business hours. Emergency contact list with cell numbers for all case managers and the agency owner. Private Facebook group with ~85 surrogates. In-person reunion events. Monthly free virtual mental health support groups. Free monthly counseling sessions plus ongoing therapy included.
What makes them unique: Highest first-timer compensation in our partner network. All coordinators are former surrogates — not a single salesperson with a script. 1-hour response time is faster than any other partner. 70% heterosexual / 30% same-sex intended parents, all US-based families (no international matches).
Surrogate reviews: 95% positivity rate across 55 verified reviews on Google, Facebook, and OVU.com. Top themes: full journey support (40%), knowledgeable team (40%), communication (35%), first-timer friendly (31%).
Love them if: You want the highest first-timer pay in our partner network. You appreciate clear timelines, structured steps, and knowing what comes next. You want an agency that responds within an hour. You're a first-time surrogate who wants to work with former-surrogate case managers.
Not right if: You want a fast or informal process without clear steps. You're not comfortable with ongoing communication. You can't commit the time for medical appointments and preparation.
Read the full Family Makers review →Apply in Florida via Family Makers
Our quiz checks your eligibility and connects you with Family Makers if you qualify as a Florida surrogate.
Check eligibility →Florida surrogacy law explained
Florida gestational surrogacy is governed by Florida Statutes § 742.15. Here's how it works:
The married-couples requirement
Florida Statute § 742.15 recognizes gestational surrogacy contracts between married intended parents. The couple must be married before the contract is signed. This works for both heterosexual and same-sex married couples (since Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015).
Unmarried intended parents and single parents can still pursue surrogacy in Florida but through alternative legal mechanisms — typically by using a sperm or egg donor arrangement that creates different parental rights. This is more complex and requires specialized legal counsel.
Court approval process
After a gestational surrogacy contract is signed, the intended parents file a petition in circuit court to establish parental rights. The court reviews the contract, confirms everyone was represented by independent counsel, and issues an order establishing the intended parents as the legal parents of the child.
The process is routine in Florida family courts and judges regularly handle gestational surrogacy petitions. Your attorney handles the paperwork.
Florida surrogate legal protections
As a Florida surrogate, you have specific statutory protections:
- You must be at least 18 years old (most agencies require 21+)
- You must have had at least one prior successful pregnancy
- You cannot contribute eggs (must be gestational only)
- Independent legal counsel is required for both you and the intended parents
- Compensation is legal and enforceable
Florida law explicitly protects gestational surrogacy contracts, meaning your compensation agreement is enforceable in court if something goes wrong.
Florida surrogate requirements
Family Makers follows standard requirements with Florida-specific notes:
- Age 21-39 (up to 42 for experienced)
- BMI under 32
- At least one full-term prior pregnancy
- Currently parenting at least one child
- Non-smoker (including household)
- Florida resident preferred for legal ease
- Stable housing and support system
- Willing to travel to fertility clinics in Florida or out-of-state
Florida cities with the most surrogacy activity
- Miami / Fort Lauderdale: Largest fertility clinic concentration. Lots of international intended parent matches.
- Orlando: Major fertility clinics and growing surrogacy market.
- Tampa: Well-established agencies and clinics serving West Coast Florida.
- Jacksonville: Smaller market but active surrogacy community.
Expected Florida timeline
Florida journeys typically run 15-18 months:
- Application and screening: 2-3 months
- Matching with intended parents: 1-3 months
- Legal contracts: 4-6 weeks
- Medical protocol and transfer: 1-2 months
- Pregnancy: ~9 months
- Delivery and post-birth: 1-2 months
First-time surrogates typically complete the journey in 16-18 months. Experienced surrogates in 14-16 months.
Tax considerations for Florida surrogates
Florida has no state income tax, which means your surrogate compensation isn't subject to state tax. You'll still owe federal income tax on most of your compensation — typically set aside 20-25% for taxes. Medical-related reimbursements may not be taxable; compensation generally is.
Working with a CPA who has handled surrogacy compensation before is strongly recommended. See our surrogate taxes guide for more.